» Head injuries dominate ladder falls (New window opens with this link)
October 6, 2006

Trauma researchers at the Alfred Hospital have begun looking at preventative measures to improve ladder safety following the release of statistics that show one-in-three ladder falls results in severe head injury.

Trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Annette Holian said the number of patients presenting to the Alfred with injury resulting from a ladder fall remained as high as six per month with head and spinal damage the most common outcomes. Close behind were injuries to the arms, legs, pelvis and chest. ...more...

Source: © 2006 Department of Human Services State Government Victoria


» Falling to their deaths (New window opens with this link)
---23 August 2006

At least 12 men died and more than 5000 people were injured in ladder accidents in Victoria in just two years, says a report from the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit at Monash University.

Middle-aged and older home handymen and gardeners were the main victims of ladder falls, reveals the new Hazard report, released today by the unit, part of the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC)....more...

Source: © 2006 Monash University Accident Research Centre

» Backyard Safety (This link downloads a pdf -260kb)

The home backyard is a place for everyone, children and adults. The area around the house may include a garage, sheds, a swimming pool, play equipment and toys, garden tools and pets. The most common place for childhood injury is in and around the home. Many of these injuries occur in the backyard and garden.

Each year in Queensland, over 15 500 children aged under 15 years present at hospital for injuries sustained in the home yard or garden. Around 15 % of these children require admission to hospital. Almost 40% of backyard injuries are associated with falls. Other major causes include, cuts, incidents with animals, being struck or striking objects and bike accidents. ...more...

Source: © 2006 Kidsafe QLD